The Phuket News April 8, 2022

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FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

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Local police face prostitution extortion probe

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Tourism Minister revs up support for Bike Week Tourists arrive at Phuket International Airport under the new ‘eased’ requirements. Photo: TAC Phuket

NEW ‘EASED’ ENTRY MEASURES FOR TOURISTS FAIL TO DRAW TRACTION The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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arning signs have already started to show following the new “eased” measures for international tourists to enter the country introduced last Friday (Apr 1) with a very slow response among tourists returning to the island.

Unlike previous editions of introducing “eased” entry measures when government officials have highly promoted how effective the reduced restrictions have been in boosting the number of tourists coming to

Phuket, as of Tuesday (April 5) local officials still had yet to make the usual proclamations of success.

Under the new requirements, the Thai government no longer requires tourists to be tested for COVID-19

by RT-PCR method, the mandatory COVID insurance has been reduced from US$50,000 to US$20,000 and the mandatory test on Day 5 of a tourist’s stay ‒ under the Test & Go scheme and the Sandbox entry scheme ‒ can now be conducted with an antigen test kit (ATK) instead of RT-PCR method.

However, all other requirements

remain the same, including the widely criticised Thailand Pass application system for international arrivals to be issued a certificate of entry. Also in effect are mandatory quarantine measures for arrivals deemed to be high risk contacts, not actually infected.

Since the Apr 1 measures came into effect, the number of international arrivals has increased, but only to about 3,400 a day, a long way from helping tourism officials reach their touted goal of 10 million international tourists this year heralded only one month ago.

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The month of March saw the already small number of daily arrivals plunge even further following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb 24, with the number of new arrivals hovering in the low 3,000s sinking to an average of just over 1,000 each day.

While the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) continues to promote that 432,298 tourists have arrived under COVID entry schemes since Nov 1 last year, the number of arrivals to Phuket has never exceeded more than 4,054 on any one day.

Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, sensing the impact was...

SPORT

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Phuket hosts international boxing comp

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Governor urges clarity on COVID rules The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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huket Governor Narong Woonciew held a special press event on Mar 31 specifically to call on the media to publicise “important COVID-19 policies of the province”.

The press were called to the old Phuket Provincial Hall, where they were addressed by Governor Narong, accompanied by Phuket Vice Governors Pichet Panaphong and Anupap Rodkwan Yodrabam.

“Today’s press conference has an important issue regarding the current situation of COVID-19, where the number of infected people in the province has dropped sequentially while preparing measures to prevent the spread during the Songkran holiday,” Governor Narong said, according to the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket) “People will come here, and we hereby are asking people to strictly follow the measures set by the Ministry of Public Health,” Governor Narong said.

“It is also a statement on the situation of tourism in Phuket, including a tourism revitalisation plan,” he added, said the PR Phuket report.

“There is also the issue of landscaping improvements along different roads and places in order to create beauty, especially in the matter of planting bougainvillaea trees, which are the official trees of Phuket provincial,

The notice issued last week summarising the entry measures for domestic travellers coming to Phuket. Image: Phuket Info Center by allowing local government organisations to take action,” Governor Narong continued.

“In the past, it has been found that there have been several operations such as on Thepkrasattri Rd. It also emphasises on the cleanliness of the country as well,” Governor Narong said, concluded the PR Phuket report.

DOMESTIC ENTRY MEASURES CLARIFIED While the report of the special press conference did not mention any of the COVID-19 requirements in effect, Governor Narong on Mar 23 issued a

new provincial order to ensure that domestic tourists looking to travel to Phuket during the Songkran holidays were aware of the COVID requirements for entering the province.

Domestic travellers coming to Phuket must be fully vaccinated or present results of either an RT-PCR or ATK (antigen test kit) test issued by an approved medical service provider confirming they are not infected with COVID-19 in order to allowed onto the island, Governor Narong confirmed with the new order.

The order, No. 2056/2565, was marked to apply to all Thai nationals and foreign-

ers arriving from within the country. The order rescinded previous provincial orders mandating the entry requirements for domestic travellers coming to Phuket, and was marked in effect from Mar 23 and to remain in effect until further notice.

Under the order, all domestic travellers must be fully vaccinated or show the results of an RT-PCR or ATK test conducted within three days of arriving to confirm they are not infected with COVID-19.

The only exemptions from the requirements are children under 5 years old travelling with parents or caregivers, per-

sons travelling with a medical emergency vehicle, lifeguards or rescue services, and people who have recovered from COVID-19 within the previous 90 days. These people do not need to show any test or proof of vaccination in order to be allowed onto Phuket.

The requirements apply to all people arriving at any “port” to Phuket, including all boat transport piers, the road checkpoint at Tha Chatchai and at Phuket airport.

The order defined fully vaccinated as people who had received any of the following: • Sinovac - 2 doses • Sinopharm - 2 doses • AstraZeneca - 2 doses • Pfizer - 2 doses • Moderna - 2 doses • Sputnik V - 2 doses • Johnson & Johnson - 1 dose administered at least 14 days before arriving • Crossed formula - 2 doses of any of the combinations of COVID-19 vaccines as approved by the Ministry of Public Health People under 11 years old must have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before arriving, or present RT-PCR or ATK test results issued in the previous three days to confirm they are not infected.

All travellers entering Phuket must download and install the “Mor Prom” app on their phones in order to show their vaccination history or test results.

Of note, The Phuket News has been unable to discern any difference between the entry

measures for domestic travellers issued on Mar 23 and the domestic entry measures that were already in effect. The new order appeared to have been issued solely to ensure that the public are aware of the entry measures for domestic travellers as required by provincial order.

However, The Phuket News also understands that officials at the ports of entry to the island, especially at the checkpoint at Tha Chatchai may have been relaxed in enforcing the provisions. With the Songkran holidays approaching and the new order issued last night, that might have now changed.

The order included the standard warnings that as the order is being implemented under the Emergency Decree, parties may not exercise their right to object under Section 30 paragraph two (1) of the Administrative Practices Act B.E. Any person who violates or fails to comply with the order may be punished under Section 51 of the Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558, which incurs a penalty of a fine of up to B20,000, or Section 52 of the same Act, which incurs a penalty of up to one year in jail or a fine of up to B100,000, or both.

Violators may also be punished under Section 18 of the Royal Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations, which incurs a penalty of up to two years in jail or a fine of up to B40,000, or both.

Drop entry requirements ‘before it is too late’, says hospitality mogul Continued from page 1 ...coming, late last month recognised that tourism officials had previously forecast 10mn arrivals this year, but noted in an interview that with the surge in Omicron infections and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the tally might only reach 7mn.

Tourism revenue could reach 30% of levels recorded in 2019 this year, before improving to 50% next year and fully recovering by 2024, he said.

TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn in early March announced that the tourism revenue target this year was B1.28 trillion, of which B626 billion was to come

from 10mn international tourists.

Another B656bn was to come from 160mn domestic trips.

By mid-march Mr Yuthasak admitted that the forecasts “might need” revising, but that would not happen until the end of March. As of Tuesday (Apr 5), no revised forecasts had been announced.

‘BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE’ Bill Heinecke, founder and chairman of Minor International (MINT), which operates over 75,000 rooms across more than 520 hotels, resorts and serviced suites among its portfolio of hospitality, restaurants and lifestyle brands, has urged that the government must drop all COVID

Tourists arrive at Phuket airport.

Photo: TAC Phuket travel restrictions before the tentative date of June 1 to rescue the economy “before it is too late”.

“The removal of Thailand Pass under the Test and Go scheme on

June 1 is too late. We believe lifting all travel restrictions should be done immediately as the rest of the world is already opening up,” said Mr Heinecke on Monday (Apr 4), reported the Bangkok Post.

Many people want to visit the country during Songkran and Easter, but too many restrictions deter tourists, he said.

Thailand is suffering as the government has shattered tourism opportunities, causing many hotels to start laying off workers again after seeing inflation increase, Mr Heinecke continued.

“I hope the public health minister and prime minister will look carefully at this issue and make the

right decision to help the economy before we die,” he said.

Without travel rules, Thai tourism will bounce back within a year, even without the Chinese market, as seen in the Maldives, which has already surpassed pre-pandemic levels, explained Mr Heinecke.

Saudi Arabia, which restored relations with Thailand after a 32year break, is a quality market with high spending the sector can target, he added.

The wellness segment has high potential to attract tourists from Europe and the Americas, which are the main feeder markets for Thai tourism at the moment, said Mr Heinecke. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

Thalang Police probed for prostitution extortion Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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huket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikong has ordered the Thalang Police chief to investigate allegations that at least one Thailang Police officer was involved in extorting money from a woman under threat of charging her with prostitution.

Maj Gen Sermphan confirmed the probe through an official statement on Mar 30.

The statement followed allegations that a police officer had threatened to charge a woman with prostitution if she failed to make “repayments” for her car seized in a raid in October last year.

The woman told the press last week that in October last year a man had contacted her for a “personal service” and they agreed to meet at a hotel room in Phuket Town.

The woman and the man agreed to B1,500 for the service.

The two were in a state of undress when seven police officers burst into the room.

Only one of the officers was

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikong has ordered an investigation into the allegations.

Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub in police uniform. The rest said they worked with the Royal Thai Police Cyber Police Division, she said.

The officers took photos and a video clip of the two before telling them to put their clothes back on, she added.

The raiding party then searched her pickup parked nearby and found her boyfriend’s BB gun and a knife.

The officers told her that the car would have to be seized as evidence.

However, the lead arresting officer explained that instead of taking her to Thalang Police Station, they could come to some arrangement.

The officer, who she called “Inspector T”, said he had checked with his superior officer, who had allegedly approved the arrangement as the officer was struggling financially supporting his family and looking after his elderly mother.

The officer said she could

Tourist dies in rafting accident POLICE ARE CONTINUing their investigation into the death of an Iranian tourist in a rafting accident in Phang Nga on Mar 29.

Col Ekkachai Siri, of the Phuket Tourist Police, reported that officers would be questioning four Israeli tourists who were in the raft when the accident happened.

Col Ekkachai also confirmed that the body of the tourist, 42-year-old Iranian national Javad Behzadifar, was to be repatriated to Iran last Friday (Apr 1), as requested by his widow, Atiyeh Elahi.

Ms Elahi and Mr Behzadifar’s body was to depart Thailand via Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok, Col Ekkachai noted.

Mr Behzadifar’s body was found on a bank of the Klong Ra stream about two kilometres from where the raft struck a large rock and bridge pylon, causing the raft to capsize, Col Ekkachai confirmed.

The location of the body was about seven kilometres from where the rafting journey began, he wrote.

Initial reports said that @thephuketnews

Photo: Phuket Tourist Police Mr Behzadifar’s legs were tied to the boat with rope when the raft, a rubber dinghy, capsized. Other reports said his legs were just tangled up with rope in the boat.

Col Ekkachai confirmed that one of Mr Behzadifar’s feet was caught in the rope that runs along the side of the boat, usually used for carrying the boat and for passengers to hold onto.

When people rushed to rescue Mr Behzadifar, they were able to free the boat from where the fast-moving water had pinned it against a

large rock, but they were unable to free Mr Behzadifar.

Col Ekkachai confirmed that at this stage police have not pressed any charges against any party involved in the incident.

He did confirm that the tour company that provided the tour, Multi Adventure Limited Partnership, is fully legally licensed and registered, and has accident insurance coverage through Tokio Marine Life to the amount of B1 million for death of a person through an accident.

The Phuket News

agree to pay a total of B20,000 in monthly installments of B5,000 to get her car back, and not face charges. She would have to sign an agreement to mark that the arrangement could be proved to be legal.

The woman agreed, but when she later met the officer to sign the agreement, the contract was for payment of B50,000, she said.

The woman decided to not pay any of the installments, prompting the officer to visit her family home on Mar 25.

The officer was accompanied by another man, she said.

Angry, the officer threatened her with charges if she did not pay. He also threatened to post the video of her online if she continued to refuse to make the payments.

The woman took a photo of the two men in front of her home, prompting a more angry response threatening her if she did not pay.

In his statement ordering the investigation, Maj Gen Sermphan said, “The offender is to be strictly prosecuted in accordance with the law, regardless of who the offender is.”

PHUKET NEWS

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The remains of a car after an accident on the bypass road.

Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub / file

Road safety hotline set up ahead of Songkran THE DEPARTMENT OF Rural Roads have confirmed a centralised hotline has been set up as part of a campaign to improve road safety ahead of the upcoming Songkran holiday.

Api rat Chaiwong noi, Director-General of the Department of Rural Roads, confirmed on Apr 2 that his department has launched a campaign entitled “Convenient, safe travel, far away from COVID-19” which looks to promote safer conditions on the roads during the holiday period.

Mr Apirat said that between Apr 11-17 when the Sogkran holidays take place there will be an increase in road traffic with people travelling to and from their home provinces. Therefore they want to ensure the condition

of the roads are in the best possible shape ahead of the busy period.

As an additional resource to promote road safety, the department has set up the national safety centre hotline 1164 with provincial support staff which can be called in the event assistance is required.

Mr Apirat said that in the event any roads, bridges, traffic signals or street lighting need immediate repair then people should call the hotline.

“It is our department’s responsibility to ensure the road conditions are safe,” he said.

“We are on stand-by to provide and install safety equipment and electric lighting, to repair any malfunctioning traffic signals, and to make sure road surfaces are suitable for people to travel conveniently and safely.” The Phuket News

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he latest in a long list of food festivals that have or are due to take place across the island as part of a drive to boost tourism and aid the local economy was held at Saphan Hin Park last weekend.

“Phuket Tastival Seafood and Gastronomy: ‘Roi-Yok-Lo’” was officially inaugurated by Phuket Vice Governor Anupap Rodkwan Yodrabam, who was joined at the ceremony

by Rewat Areerob, President of Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO, or OrBorJor); Phuket City Mayor Sarot Angkhanapilas; Woranit Aphirat Jirawong from the Phuket Commerce office and various representatives from government agencies and the private sector.

Budget had been allocated from the Ministry of Commerce to the Phuket Provincial Commercial Office to carry out an integrated seafood promotional activity that would highlight Phuket’s position as a UNESCO-recognised creative city in the field of gastronomy and attract tourists.

The festival would also help re-

Photo: PR Phuket invigorate the local economy, still reeling after the detrimental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It would generate income that would be distributed fairly among local farmers and

seafood vendors while also raising awareness and continuing to promote Phuket’s domestic and international marketing strategy.

Similar themed festivals that have

occurred island-wide in recent weeks, including at Saphan Hin, Karon, Kamala, Nai Yang, Phuket Town and Cherng Talay, all of which aimed to boost local tourism and the economy.

It was also recently announced that a Roi Rim Lay festival will be held at the Sarasin Bridge in Mai Khao to coincide with the upcoming Songkran Festival on Apr 11-12.

“Phuket Tastival” at Saphan Hin ran until Monday (Apr 4) and saw numerous stalls selling fresh seafood produce by the kilo that could be bought and cooked on-site at a designated grilling area. Additionally there were stalls and food trucks selling traditional Thai food and local arts and crafts goods.

During the opening ceremony last Saturday (Apr 2), Japanese-style Yakisoba cooking was showcased as well as demonstrations of otsukiri and salmon cutting techniques.

There was live music and cultural entertainment shows each evening and all Phuket residents and visitors to the island were encouraged to visit and enjoy the festivities, which were all conducted while respecting COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Winners of Red Cross fair lucky draw announced

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

A ‘Ramadan Market’ has been set up at the Mugrakrom Mosque in Bang Tao for local people and tourists to enjoy local foods. Photo: Halal Tidor / Cherng Talay OrBorTor

Ramadan begins in Phuket MUSLIMS ACROSS PHUKET are now observing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan following a proclamation by the Chularatchamontri, Sheikul Islam Aziz Phitakkumpon, the leading Muslim cleric for the nation, last Saturday (Apr 2).

Sheikul Islam Aziz announced that the holy month and traditional fasting period had begun after the moon had been observed on Saturday night.

There are 54 mosques across Phuket, not including other venues for prayer, to serve resident and visiting Muslims across the island.

An estimated 20% of Phuket’s native population are Muslims.

In support of Muslims observing the traditional fasting, many government offices across Phuket have made small donations of food and water to be served at Iftar, the evening meal with which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. Airports of Thailand (AoT) staff and management at Phuket International Airport made such donations to the many mosques in their immediate area.

In Bang Tao, the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) helped organise a “Ramadan Market” to be set up at the Mugrakrom Mosque, for local people and tourists to enjoy local foods. The Phuket News

PHUKET GOVERNOR NARONG Woonciew led a prize-giving fiesta at the old Phuket Provincial Hall on Mar 30, leading with the presentation of 10 bahtweight in gold worth more than B300,000 as the top prize in the Dee Phuket Fair lucky draw.

The lucky numbers were drawn on the final night of the festival, held at Saphan Hin, on Mar 28. The fair was held as the de facto Phuket Red Cross Fair, which before the COVID-19 outbreak two years ago served as a key fundraising event for the local Red Cross branch.

At the prize-giving ceremony, Suthida Kranokfoi was gifted 10 bahtweight of gold for winning the top prize with lucky draw ticket number 49664.

Wisanu Meekham was presented 5 bahtweight of gold worth about B155,500 for winning the second prize with ticket number 11470.

The prizes were handed over by Governor Narong, joined by his wife Wandee Woonciew, who as the wife of the current Governor of Phuket is the current President of the Phuket chapter of the Red Cross.

Winners of any of the other lucky draw prizes have yet to be named.

Third prize is a 2 bahtweight of gold worth more than B62,000, with three third-place prizes up for grabs.

The winning numbers are 45875, 16988 and 18452.

Governor Narong hands over the top prize of 10 bahtweight in gold worth more than B300,000.

Photo: PR Phuket The fourth prize is 1 bahtweight of gold worth about B31,100, with five fourth-place prizes up for grabs. The winning numbers are 27961, 43327, 51797, 53119 and 49032.

The fifth prize in the lucky draw is 2 salung bahtweight of gold worth just over B15,000 each, with 20 fifthplace prizes up for grabs. The winning numbers are 46864, 50269, 11898, 41966, 49563, 37887, 37829, 54654, 11716, 52126, 26267, 12634, 22750, 23425, 18605, 16671, 33052, 55884, 41289 and 39589.

Those with the correct last three numbers in the lucky draw ‒ number 595 ‒ can claim their prize of 50 16inch fans to be won.

Winners have until Apr 25 to claim their prizes by contacting the Phuket Red Cross office at 076-211766 or through the Phuket Provincial Office website www.phuket.go.th.

The Phuket News thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

PHUKET NEWS

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Rim Lay heads north to Locations targetted in Roi Sarasin Bridge for Songkran lottery network raids Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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he government’s crackdown on the sale of over priced lot ter y tickets reached Phuket last week when three locations on the island were raided for selling tickets sold through the Blue Dragon Lottery online platform.

Region 8 Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Naphanwut Liamsanguan led the raids on Mar 30: one at a home in Moo 6 Rassada, another at a home in Moo Baan Thanthong also in Rassada, and a third at a home on Patak Rd, Karon.

Maj Gen Naphanwut said that the raids in Phuket were part of coordinated raids at 13 locations in seven provinces: Phuket, Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Surat Thani, Ranong and Phang Nga. The raids were ordered by assistant police chief Pol Lt Gen Prachuap Wongsuk, Maj Gen Naphanwut explained.

Lt Gen Prachuap led the raid on the offices of Lottery Online Co in Bangkok on Mar 28, where “millions of lottery

Officers seize a computer at one of the homes. Photo: PR Phuket tickets” were seized.

The raid in the capital followed similar raids on Mar 25 on offices in Nonthaburi and Loei operated by lottery middleman company Mungkornfa.

The raids were executed under search warrants issued, Maj Gen Naphanwut said.

The people arrested at the three locations in Phuket were not representatives of Blue Dragon Lottery, Maj Gen Naphanwut noted.

“They worked as a type of

agent whereby Blue Dragon sold lottery tickets to them at B90-97 each, which the agent had to sell for B100-105, or more,” he said.

“Blue Dragon is involved in selling overpriced lottery tickets to agents, and agents themselves are selling overpriced tickets.

“Regardless of where Blue Dragon gets the lottery tickets from, Blue Dragon sells overpriced lottery tickets to agents and the general public,” he said.

‘Honest mistakes’ leading to breach of corruption rules PH U K ET OF F ICI A LS RU N N I NG afoul of anti-corruption laws when processing procurement contracts are only making honest mistakes, and are getting better at it, says the island’s anti-corruption chief.

Suksan Prasara-ae, Director of the Phuket office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), reported the good news at a meeting at the old Phuket Provincial Hall on Mar 31, chaired by Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew.

Mr Suksan reported that an analysis of the complaints filed with the NACC Phuket office saw complaints about corruption involving land as the most common complaint filed.

Complaints about corruption involving procurement fraud ranked second.

Complaints about abuse of power by officials and officials’ derelict of duty ranked third, Mr Suksan said.

No details of complaints regarding corruption involving land or abuse of power

by Phuket officials were provided.

Instead, Mr Suksan defended Phuket officials in their honest mistakes involving procurement contracts.

“From the results of a survey conducted in the fiscal year 2020, it was found that the cause of the problem of corruption in procurement by local government organisations in the Phuket area was that some of the complaints arose from personnel on procurement duties who did not have knowledge and expertise in supplies,” Mr Suksan said. @thephuketnews

NACC Phuket Chief Suksan Prasara-ae explaining how Phuket officials were making honest mistakes in handling procurement contracts on Mar 31. Photo: PR Phuket “This resulted in non-compliance with the rules stipulated in the law on procurement and management of government supplies without any fraudulent intent and as a channel for the authority to use as a tool for exploitation,” he added.

In particular, issues arose with the appointment of personnel not familiar with the procurement procedures and newly instated government officials, he said.

“In order to solve the problem of corruption complaints in procurement, the NACC Office in Phuket conducted training to provide knowledge and precautions in the performance of supplies,” Mr Suksan continued.

“After the training in this matter, it was found that the officers were more knowledgeable and thus reduced the corruption,” he said. The Phuket News

Evidence seized, including computers and bankbooks, were handed over to the Tha Chatchai Police, who are stationed near the Region 8 Police headquarters at the northern end of the island.

Officers are now investigating whether the people arrested would face any charges, Maj Gen Naphanwut said.

Seksakol Attawong, a deputy minister at the Prime Minister’s Office who is spearheading the government crackdown, earlier last week said the aim was to deter ordinary people from engaging in selling overpriced tickets.

Meanwhile, companies set up to make millions out of the practice stood to face prosecution, he said.

After the raid in Bangkok on Mar 28, Lt Gen Prachuap said that evidence had been found of ticket transactions of more than B100 million baht per lottery draw.

The vendors involved who had lottery ticket quotas with the Government Lottery Office (GLO) would lose their quotas, he said.

AU T HOR I T I E S H AV E confirmed that the Roi Rin Lay Festival will be held at the Sarasin Bridge in Mai Khao during the Songkran festival on Apr 11-12 in an effort to boost tourism and the local economy.

The official announcement was made on Mar 31 at a press conference held near the Sarasin Bridge headed by the national Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

Also present were Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew; Mai Khao Subdistrict Administrative Organisation President Sarawut Sisakukhram, Dr Nai Ratchakitprakarn, Chairman of Advisors to the Deputy Prime Minister, as well as representatives from local government organisations and related agencies.

Mr Sarawut confirmed the festival will take place on Apr 11-12 and is geared to help stimulate the local economy which is still reeling from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recent impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has further strained the situation with tourist numbers dwindling as a result, likewise strict government rules on

Tourism Minister Phiphat announcing the Roi Rim Lay event to be held at the Sarasin Bridge. Photo: PRD tourists entering the country.

Mr Sarawut added that the budget from the government had been allocated and distributed to local government organisations in various areas to organise activities to stimulate tourism and spending.

It is hoped the festival over the Songkran period at Sarasin Bridge will benefit local farmers, food producers, entrepreneurs and selected operators as a greater number of tourists are expected to be present during the holiday festivities.

Similar Roi Rim Lay festivals have held island-wide in recent weeks, including at Saphan Hin, Karon, Kamala, Nai Yang, Phuket Town and Cherng Talay, all of which aimed to boost local tourism and the economy.

The Phuket News

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BUSINESS NEWS

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TAT eyes Mongolia as tourist source market The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

Photo: Post Today

BoT forecasts 4.9% inflation THE BANK OF THAILAND (BoT) trimmed its 2022 economic growth forecast from 3.4% to 3.2% and raised its headline inflation to 4.9%, above its target range of 1%3%, due to the impact of the war in Ukraine.

The BoT reported that the country’s economic activity in March came under pressure from rising coronavirus infections and higher inflation driven by increasing energy prices, following a recovery in the previous month.

According to the central bank, overall business activity was steady in March, while the baht depreciated following an escalation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Sen ior BoT Di rector Chayawadee Chai-Anant told a news conference, however, that the Thai economy should remain on the recovery path.

She said the economy in

“the first quarter recovered but not strikingly, compared with a very good fourth quarter”, adding that the recovery was expected to continue in the second quarter of this year.

The economy grew a fasterthan-expected 1.9% in the fourth quarter of 2021 from a year earlier.

The BoT said in a statement that the economy in February recovered due to stronger exports and more foreign tourists after an easing of coronavirus curbs that also helped improve manufacturing.

Exports, a key driver of growth, rose 16.0% in February from a year earlier, with imports up 14.2% year-on-year, resulting in a trade surplus of $3.4 billion.

The country recorded a current account deficit of US$652 million in February after seeing a deficit of $2.2bn in the previous month. NBT

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he Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set its sights on growing the Mongolian market into a new target group for tourism to Thailand.

The TAT conducted its ‘Mongolia Market Table-top Sales – Agent & Media Educational Trip’ for six Mongolian travel agents and media members to experience some of the tourism products and services in Phuket and Phang Nga from Mar 22-28.

As well as showcasing tourism products and new tourism activities in Phuket and Phang Nga, the one-week trip included a table-top sales session in Phuket on Mar 24, allowing the opportunity for participants from Mongolia to meet with 18 Thai hotels and tour operators for product updates and business negotiations.

Also present at the event session was H.E. Tumur Amarsanaa, Ambassador of Mongolia to Thailand, reported the TAT. Chuwit Sirivejkul, TAT Executive Director of the East Asia Region, said, “The trip was aimed to boost awareness in the Mongolian market of tourism products and new tourism activities in the ever-popular Southern Thailand destinations of Phuket and Phang Nga. This in turn will hopefully lead to an expansion of the existing seasonal air links between Mongolia and Thailand

Photo: TAT to year-round services and a growth in the Mongolian market.”

The number of Mongolian tourists visiting Thailand started to see a steady increase from 2016, with direct flights, both scheduled and chartered, linking the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar with Bangkok and Phuket from October to March each year. Market data showed Mongolian tourists prefer beach destinations like Phuket, Pattaya and Hua Hin, and their average length of stay in Thailand is seven days or more.

The ‘Mongolia Market Table-top Sales – Agent & Media Educational Trip’ was part of the larger ‘Amazing New Chapters Mega FAM Trip 2022’ from Mar 21 to

Apr 1, during which some 80-100 travel agents, media, and key opinion leaders (KOLs) from around Asia and the South Pacific were introduced to new tourism products and services on offer in Chiang Mai, Phuket and Phang Nga. While the Mongolian travel agents and media members explored Phuket and Phang Nga, other invited participants from ASEAN – Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam; East Asia – Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan; South Asia – Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, and the South Pacific – Australia were similarly exploring Chiang Mai and nearby provinces on a fam trip from Mar 26 through Apr 2.

Southern border reopens THE SADAO IMMIGRATION CHECKpoint on the border with Malaysia reopened to travellers on Apr 1, with 107 Malaysians registering for entry under the Thailand Pass system.

There was also some confusion, with intending travellers turned away after failing to register.

The checkpoint in Songkhla province, the primary land crossing with Malaysia, finally came alive again two years after it was closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Sadao crossing opened at 5am and there was a steady trickle of tourists from Malaysia. A total of 107 tourists registered for entry under the Thailand Pass system.

Travellers were required to show passports, COVID-19 vaccination documents and proof of reservation and payment for SHA extra plus hotels before undergoing an RT-PCR test, with the result expected to take four to six hours.

Some would-be travellers were disappointed as they were refused entry. They did not register with the Thailand Pass system and thought only passports were required at the checkpoint.

Those who test positive for the coronavirus will receive treatment, officials said.

Those who test negative will travel under the Test & Go scheme but must strictly abide by health measures, including wearing a face mask and frequent washing of their hands.

Sadao is a tourist town on the border with Kedah State in Malaysia. Seven of the 25 hotels in the town have received SHA

Motorists queue as the Sadao immigration checkpoint in Songkhla reopens on Apr 1.

Photo: Assawin Pakkawan / Bangkok Post extra plus certification.

Most visitors entering through the checkpoint on Apr 1 have families in Thailand or have a business here.

Sadao district chief Surin Suriyawong said the reopening went smoothly, although some had problems with their travel documents and registration because they were unaware of the requirements. Some were turned back to Malaysia, he said.

Soldiers and police were on duty to assist customs officials if required.

Ratchata Samranchalarak, head of the Songkhla tourism and sports office, said the southern province was keyed up and ready to welcome tourists once again. A coordination centre had been set up to help visitors.

He said COVID-19 travel requirements under the Test & Go scheme had been eased and foreign tourists could enter the country using the Thailand Pass system.

Checkpoints in other provinces along the southern border were also due to reopen that same day. Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

XE wave ‘likely to be mild’ BANGKOK

T

he Public Health Ministry played down concerns raised by the detection of the first case of the XE COVID-19 strain in the country on Sunday (Apr 3), saying it is not believed to result in as many complications as some previous mutations.

The head of the Centre for Medical Genomics (CMG) at Ramathibodi Hospital, which diagnosed the patient found with the strain, said the individual had already made a full recovery.

The rising number of COVID-19 strains only fuels the rapidity of genomic variation as has been evidenced recently by the emergence of Deltacron, a recombinant virus that contains genes from both Delta and Omicron variants, said Dr Supakit Sirilak, director-general of the Department of Medical Sciences (DMS).

In this case, XE is a recombinant virus of two sublineages of the Omicron variant, BA.1 and BA.2, he said, in response to reports about the detection of the first XE case last Saturday (apr 2).

The World Health Organization (WHO) had issued a warning last Saturday over the XE Omicron variant, first detected in the UK on Jan 19, that many in the medical field fear could be the most transmissible yet.

Anan Jongkaewwattana, an expert with the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology said those who had already been infected

A child has his body temperature check before being vaccinated against COVID-19 in Bangkok on Monday (Apr 4). Photo: Somchai Poomlard with the sub-variant BA.2 of Omicron may already carry some immunity due to the similarities between the pair BA.2.

“Don’t be more afraid of XE than BA.2 as that strain has already been around town,” he said.

Considering a rise in number of patients developing severe symptoms when infected with COVID-19 after a fourth booster shot, he recommends delaying booster shots until a newer generation of the vaccine is available.

Immunity generated by multiple vaccines may even have an adverse effect and lead to more severe inflammation in those who catch the virus after their shots, he said.

For those who already had two rounds of COVID-19 vaccine, two more booster shots of other types may be needed, while

those who had started with two shots of other types of the vaccine may need only one booster shot for now.

Meanwhile, a 34-year-old parcel delivery man may be infected with the new COVID-19 variant XJ, never before detected in Thailand.

XJ is another combination of the BA1 and BA2 variants first detected in Finland.

“We still need more information for the confirmation but it is highly likely to be the XJ recombinant,” said Dr Supakit, adding that there is no evidence it is anymore dangerous than other variants.

“He met many people due to the nature of his job. That made him vulnerable to infection,” Dr Supakit said, adding the man had previously been inoculated with two doses of the Sinopharm vaccine.

Thai Foreign Minister visits China to boost bilateral relations BANGKOK

@thephuketnews

7

Drink-driving rule change BANGKOK

Bangkok Post

SE N IOR O F F IC I A L S from the governments of Thailand and the People’s Republic of China have met to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai paid an official visit to Huangshan City in China’s Anhui Province on Apr 1-2 at the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister H.E. Wang Yi. The visit was intended to strengthen Thailand and China’s Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. It also aimed to enhance cooperation in order to revitalize the economy in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global crises.

During their meeting, Wang marked the 10th anniversary of the formation of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

He said both sides should enhance discussions in order to establish a framework in

THAILAND NEWS

Photo: NNT accordance with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, as well as accelerate the construction of railways between Thailand and China.

He also urged both countries to carry out initiatives in accordance with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, in order to enhance trade and economic cooperation while broadening cooperation in technology, digital economy, new energy and other sectors.

M i n i s t e r D o n s a id Thailand is committed to strengthening bilateral relations and will cooperate to transform the Belt and Road Initiative into a highquality global infrastructure development strategy, as well as actively participate in the Global Development

Initiative. He said the Thai government hopes to increase trade, connectivity and agricultural cooperation, ensure industrial and supply chain stability and strengthen bilateral relations in a sustainable manner.

Both sides also agreed to strengthen China’s strategic partnership with ASEAN and maintain open communications in order to boost multilateral cooperation.

The announcement came after a meeting on Mar 23 where Thailand’s Public Relations Department (PRD) and China’s Xinhua News Agency confirmed they are working to enhance their cooperation on news and mass media, with the aim of fostering connectivity between the peoples of both nations.

PRD Deputy DirectorGeneral Sudruethai Lertkasem said both sides reviewed their achievements over the past year, as well as discussing future content to help promote better understanding and relations.

NNT

THE PUBLIC HEALTH Ministry will push for a rule to allow blood tests for alcohol on motorists who cannot take a breathalyser test as part of an effort to curb drink-driving.

Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said on Monday (Apr 4) motorists who break traffic laws would, under a new rule, need to undergo blood tests for alcohol if they don’t take a breath test.

“If they refuse a breathalyser test they are deemed drunk. Those who cannot take a breathalyser test, will have to undergo a blood test at the discretion of the attending officer,” he said.

The test results will be kept on file for consideration when they apply to renew their driving licences, he said.

Mr Sathit said a certain amount of budget was spent on blood tests – done without the need of a rule – on motorists during the road safety “seven dangerous days” campaign over the New Year holiday.

Photo: Bangkok Post Opas Karnkawinpong, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) chief, said that the DDC is responsible for enforcing the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, adding that a blood test for alcohol costs about B1,000 for each motorist.

About B1-2 million was spent carrying out blood tests on motorists during a road safety campaign over the New Year holiday, Dr Opas said.

During the New Year holiday period, the Department of Medical Sciences analysed a total of 784 blood samples, 55% of which had alcohol levels exceeding the legal limit.

If the new rule is to be applied, between B20-30mn will be needed annually to conduct blood tests on motorists who cannot take breathalyser tests, Dr Opas said.

Bangkok Post

8 ENTERTAINMENT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

Eurasia PK: Staying alive in Phuket

Timber Hut’s famed house band, reborn, renewed and relaunched PHUKET MUSIC SCENE

O

Andy Tong Dee

nce upon a time there was a very popular live music venue in Phuket Town called Timber Hut. I enjoyed many happy evenings there soon after I arrived in Phuket over 10 years ago. I love to hear live music and the Timber Hut band was absolutely outstanding, reputed to be the best on the island.

Timber Hut had to close because of COVID-19, but has since re-opened.

I have to admit I had quite forgotten about the band until I visited the Grapevine Lounge in Cherng Talay. I had heard of a hot, new band playing there and wanted to check it out. Imagine my surprise when I arrived to find it was not a new band at all, but a very old one under a new name – Eurasia PK (“PK” is for Phuket.) I recognised Rose straight away as soon as I walked in, having watched her many nights previously in Timber Hut. Like many others, I was fooled by the name change, but it makes perfect sense. Timber Hut is no more the live music venue it once was and its chicks have flown the nest. They have happily got back together and are now playing at venues and parties around the island.

Rose and Arkom. Photo: Klaus Zimmerman The band’s origins go right back to when Timber hut first opened 20 years ago. It was started by a man called Boonkurt and the current drummer Dong. Boonkurt returned to Bangkok, leaving Dong in charge. Dong then took on a new keyboard player and bass guitarist and, after a while, Rose.

This original line-up is still in place, except for their guitarist who joined recently. Another fairly recent addition is Arkhom, a local English teacher who played with Dong many years ago before he went to Germany to work.

He told me, “It’s been like a journey through time. I’ve known Dong for 44

years now. We were on Thai TV playing together in our 20s and I’d always help out when back here on holiday from Germany.” When he returned five years ago, Dong asked him to formally join the band. This allowed greater vocal variety and neat harmonisations with Rose’s powerful voice, a one that could be described as like Shirley Bassey’s.

Rose confided in me, “We’ve known each other so long and we take care of each other. It’s like having a second family.” That meant lockdown was doubly difficult for the band.

As Arkhom explained, “Lockdown

was dreadful. We couldn’t meet and practice for six months. It was like a bereavement for us.”

It is difficult to describe the music they play, but it could be said to be upmarket pop, the kind of music you might hear in a classy London club. You might hear a James Bond theme song, a Stevie Wonder or a Paul Simon hit, but rest assured nothing to jangle your nerves! Graham, a big fan of the band at Coconut Rawai where they play, told me, “They play a huge range of sophisticated pop with a very varied set each week. There’s nothing they can’t handle musically. They are a joy to watch and never boring.”

And as for the future? Dong told me, “It’s great being back together again.

For some, music is just a job. For us, it’s far more than that. It’s a gathering of old friends.” But Phuket is not the same place as before COVID. As Arkhom explained, “At six members, we’re a big band. Today’s new economic realities mean there is always financial pressure to split into two, but we are trying hard to stay together.”

Well, let’s hope this happiest of Phuket’s musical families does just that!

Andy Tong Dee is a retired expat and musician living in Phuket. You can read his blog and find out much more about Phuket’s music venues and bands at www.phuketmusicscene.com.

Marvel’s ‘Morbius’ sufficiently succulent

S

ometimes it feels that cinema audiences can be a little harsh on films. The thoughts on the latest Marvel movie to be released – ‘Morbius’ – seem scattered. There are the downright scathing through to the ho-hum. But is this an issue that Marvel have created themselves.

Morbius is not a bad film. It is what an origins film needs to be. In the tradition of films like Ironman and Wolverine it goes back to the very beginning of a character’s journey and starts them out small before they reach the epic heights of what Marvel can produce.

Directed by Daniel Espinosa (Life) Morbius has much more of a genre flick feel to it than a Marvel universe film and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Admittedly the plot is pretty light – how a doctor specialising in blood diseases is transformed by an experiment – which means there isn’t a lot of opportunity for character development.

The film itself is loaded with some pretty impressive special effects that seem to mirror what we have seen in The Matrix franchise over the years.

Perhaps the most frustrating thing with Morbius though is not getting more out of the performance of Jared Leto, one of the best actors on the planet at the moment. Here, Leto seems to be in cruise control, he delivers an okay performance but could have gone a fair bit deeper with a character struggling with good and evil.

Jared Leto in Morbius (2022). Image: IMDb Likewise, neither Tyrese Gibson nor Adria Arjona are given much to work with. In fact the only actor that comes out of this film as a shining light is Matt Smith who, just as he did with Last Night in Soho, seems to enjoy getting to bring his ‘evil’ side to the surface.

If you don’t go into Morbius expecting something epic then you will be just fine. It is a passable action film that once again touches on Marvel’s dark side. It follows in the footsteps of some of the other origin superhero films we have seen in the past and will be enjoyed by those who have enjoyed films like Venom. There is enough in the film to suggest that as a character Morbius is going to be something special in the Marvel universe, let’s just hope with the next film they give Leto a chance to show his award-winning acting skills.

Morbius is currently screening in Phuket and is rated 13.

3/5 Stars David Griffiths thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Phuket Bike Week is back The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

P

huket Bike Week will return this year, held on May 13-15, and is hoped to generate some B60 million in direct spending by visitors arriving from 20 countries, providing a muchneeded boost to the island’s stifled economy.

Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn presided over the press launch for the event at The Playyard Phuket Mai Khao late Tuesday afternoon (Mar 29).

Joining him were Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew and Wittaya Singkala, Acting President of Phuket Bike Week Association.

The event this year, Phuket Bike Week 2022 “New Normal Ride Together”, will mark the 26th year the event has been held on the island, said Mr Wittaya.

“Phuket Bike Week will attract quality tourists and a group of big bike riders from 20 countries around the world, especially from neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, as well as the United States, which have high spending power,” he said.

@thephuketnews

COMMUNITY 9

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

“We are hoping to be another activity that can stimulate the tourism industry of Phuket to recover and become stable and strong in the long term,” Mr Wittaya said.

Bike Week this year will feature many of its mainstay attractions, including a custom motorcycle contest; a touring model and classic model contest; an exhibition of rare, collectible motorcycles; and American classic cars on show.

Riders from all leading groups will join the big bike caravan procession to campaign for safe driving and obey traffic rules, while entertainment will include the Miss Phuket Bike Week Contest as well as live concerts by famous artists Ad Carabao, Baowee and Job2Do, among others.

With the home of Bike Week this year being The PlayYard in Mai Khao, water sports competitions will also feature at this year’s event. At the press launch on Tuesday children took to the water to display their dinghy sailing skills.

The event will be held strictly within the COVID Free setting measures, Mr Wittaya assured.

“It is expected that during the three days of the event the spending per per-

Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew (centre, yellow shirt) joins bikers in cheering the return of Bike Week. Photo: MoTS son per day will be about B20,000 to B30,000, which will directly inject not less than B60 million into local businesses,” Mr Wittaya said.

Tourism Minister Phiphat was expecting the economic impact of the event to be much more. “There will be tourists and big bike lovers, both Thais and foreigners, coming to attend the event in large numbers,” he said.

“Due to COVID-19, we have not been able to hold normal activities and the tourism industry has faced a lot of problems. It has affected entrepreneurs and business operators in the tourism industry as a whole,” Mr Phiphat noted..

“Therefore, in order to stimulate the economy of the tourism sector of Phuket, this will build confidence for both Thai and foreign tourists. It is a good opportunity for the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Phuket Province, Phuket Bike Week Association and many other parties involved to highlight the availability of places [in Phuket] that can combine both water activities and other events in the one place,” he said.

“The 26th Phuket Bike Week 2022 will see tourists arriving in early May, one week before the event. This will bring a lot of money into the area. In addition to the people taking part in the event, there will also be the people travelling with them, which altogether will help generate more than B500mn to B1 billion to be distributed throughout the southern region besides Phuket,” Mr Phiphat said.

“Phuket Bike Week 2022 is an activity that can open people’s perspective of tourism in Phuket. They can ride around the island and appreciate the beauty and nature of the island up close. The event also shows the cooperation and unity of those who love to ride big motorcycles, fostering the relationship between Asian riders and a global network.

“We ask for cooperation from all people to welcome people coming for the event and be a good host in welcoming and taking care of safety to create an impression and strength of tourism in Phuket and Thailand,” Mr Phiphat concluded.

10 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. The Israeli city of Tel Aviv was founded in which century?

2. In measurements, how many teaspoons make one tablespoon?

3. What is the correct name for the helmet worn by London “bobby” police?

4. In all his years on TV, did Top Cat ever wear pants?

5. Which part of the body do butterflies use to taste?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Hard

Across 1. Quirk 4. Classic opener 7. La lead-in 10. Cirque 13. Symbol of purity 15. Diamond stat 16. Ground breaker 17. Tango, e.g.

20. Negative particles 21. Small valves 22. Large amounts 23. Matched 24. Wrinkly fruit 27. In a consistent manner 31. Ancient Spaniards 35. Carnaval site 36. Two-step, Latin American style 41. Part of a balance 42. Botanical gardens 43. Positions 47. Growing room 48. Vacillate 51. J.F.K. postings 55. Old counters 58. Cruelty 60. Jarabe tapatio 62. Close one 63. River to the North Sea

29. Fluff 30. Eastern discipline 31. Pucks 32. Vanquished 33. White-tailed eagle 34. Swell place?

37. Ring result Down 38. Fox competitor 1. Big brass 39. Easter preceder 2. Cockeyed 40. Relating to a 3. Eyelashes sytem of belief 4. Norse goddess of 44. Fungal spore fate sacs 5. “Aeneid” figure 6. Plastic ___ Band 45. Tennis ties 7. When haroseth is 46. Halvah ingredient eaten 49. Intuit 8. Bloviates 50. Havana residue 9. Surgeon’s tool 52. Metallic sounds 10. À la mode 53. Japanese 11. College grind publisher 12. Ryan and Tilly 54. Makeup woe 14. Resolution 55. Concert array 18. Car ad abbr.

56. Squire 19. Conclusion 23. Hokkaido native 57. Bridge toll unit 58. Eye problem 25. Kind of mill 59. Purim’s month 26. Delay 61. Actress 28. Mold-ripened cheese Brenneman 64. Muscle ache 65. “So ___ me!”

66. Bishop’s jurisdiction 67. “___ Blues” (Beatles tune) 68. Elton John, for one

Visit: www.ilovecrosswords.com

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz:

1) 20 th century (1909); 2) Three; 3) Custodian helmet; 4) No; 5) Their feet

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

April 8, 1820 The Venus de Milo is discovered on the Aegean island of Milos.

26

April 9, 2005 Charles, Prince of Wales, marries Camilla Parker Bowles in a civil ceremony at Windsor’s Guildhall.

years old was how old George Harrison was when The Beatles broke up.

43

April 10, 1815 Mount Tambora volcano in Indonesia begins a three-month-long eruption. Ultimately 71,000 people are killed and the Earth’s climate is affected for two years. The year 1816 becomes known as the “year without a summer”.

buildings in New York City are so large they have their own zip codes.

93

April 11, 1981 A massive riot in Brixton, south London results in almost 300 police injuries and 65 serious civilian injuries.

billionaires currently sit as members of China’s parliament.

2011

April 12, 1981 The first launch of a Space Shuttle (Columbia) takes place: The STS-1 mission.

was the year Russia finally considered beer an alcoholic drink. Anything containing less than 10% alcohol was previously considered a “soft drink”.

144 billion

steps in just 30 days was how much Pokémon Go increased US activity levels when it was first released.

Source: Uberfacts

This week in history

Tiger Woods in 1997.

April 13, 1997 Tiger Woods becomes the youngest golfer to win the Masters Tournament.

Lightning over Bang Tao (on Mar 18). Photo by Thierry Julien Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket?

Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

April 14, 1865 US President Abraham Lincoln is shot in Ford’s Theatre by John Wilkes Booth; Lincoln dies the next day.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

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CLASSIFIEDS 11

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

Trades & Services

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12 EVENTS & CLASSIFIEDS

FRI

8 APR

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

com/shakersphuket Oliver, Shakers restaurant 98/18 Vises Road, Rawai 83130, 081 891 4381

MON

11 APR

Skål International Phuket Dinner at Hyatt Regency Kamala

Friday Mussels night

6 PM onwards: Belgian style mussels served with French Fries. All you can eat. Your choice, Your style: Mariniere, White wine, Provencale, Garlic & cream, Creamy curry, Blue cheese or Thai style.

We have a kid’s playground zone. Adults: 325 baht P.P. www.shakersphuket.com www.facebook.com/ shakersphuket Oliver, Shakers restaurant 98/18 Vises Road, Rawai 83130, 081 891 4381

SUN

Pizza Monday

12 PM till closing: 20% discount on all our pizzas We have a kid’s playground zone. www.shakersphuket. com www.facebook.com/shakersphuket Oliver, Shakers restaurant 98/18 Vises Road, Rawai 83130, 081 891 4381

WED

10 APR

Sunday roast

12PM – 9PM: All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet Beef, Pork, Chicken & Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, Fried mushrooms, Grilled Tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding – Roasted Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes – Apple sauce, Gravy, Mushroom sauce, Horse raddish, Mint Sauce. We have a kid’s playground zone. Adults: 350 baht P.P. Kids under 12 years old: 175 baht P. www.shakersphuket.com www.facebook.

Wednesday BBQ night

Full Time Nanny

Looking for a nanny to take care of 1y9m old child. Live in or work 7am to 7pm English or/and Thai speaking Nanny experience 3 years 18000, Napakpapha, nicky_karpuzov@yahoo.com, +6639503078

BUSINESSES FOR SALE GE

NT

13 APR

6 PM onwards: All you can eat BBQ buffet cooked to order. Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Ribs Sausages, Fish, Prawns & Squids, salad buffet and veggies, Choice of potatoes, cold and hot sauces, Bread, Buns & garlic bread. We have a kid’s playground zone.

Adults: 395 baht P.P. Kids under 12 years old: 195 baht P.P. www.shakersphuket.com www.facebook. com/shakersphuket Oliver, Shakers restaurant 98/18 Vises Road, Rawai 83130, 081 891 4381

JOBS

UR

THU

21 APR

Resort for sale /rent

3 rai grasland,6 building 12 rooms ,internet ,own Well ,big pool,parking,restaurant ,5min walk to Makro Lotus any offer considered. 3 rai grasland,6 building 12 rooms ,internet ,own Well ,big pool,parking,restaurant ,5min walk to Makro Lotus any offer considered, bigasail33@yahoo.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

Royal Phuket Marina between the 12th and the 15th of January 2023, with over 6,000 visitors and more than 100 exhibitors expected to attend. For more details see their website at https://www.thailandinternationalboatshow.com/ There will be a delicious free buffet for all attendees and as always all of your favourite beverages will be available from the bar. Come and join in the fun, everyone is welcome and there is no entry fee. We hope to see you there and if you know anyone you think would be interested in coming please invite them along. Grow Boating is kindly supported by our media partner - The Phuket News, Live 89.5 radio and Phuket News TV.

FRI

13 MAY

Join Skål International Phuket at Hyatt Regency Kamala for dinner in April 2022, Experience luxury at a refreshed and revitalized family resort in Phuket.

Brand new family friendly dining choices cater for every taste, while a spectacular new seafront glass marquee venue and flexible indoor event space make for memorable destination weddings and special occasions. Become a member and connect with the biggest Travel & Tourism professional network.

Being part of Skål International offers you a wide range of benefits.

FRI

6 MAY

22nd Phuket International Rugby 10s

It’s Great To Be Back. The 2022 Aussie Bar Phuket International Rugby 10s with teams from around the region competing for bragging rights in what has become one of Asia’s premier social rugby events.

The venue is Thanyapura Sports Club and put the date 13-15 May in your diaries for a weekend of action and fun. For more information contact phuket10s@ outlook.com or check out the website www.phuket10s. com Sponsored by Aussie Bar Phuket, Athena Siam Co.Ltd, The Phuket News, World Flair and raising funds for the Asia Center Foundation no into their 20th year of giving kids a chance! Thanyapura Sports Club. phuketrugby@gmail.com

Grow Boating Networking Evening - May 2022

We look forward to seeing you at the next Grow Boating Evening at the Isola Restaurant at the Royal Phuket Marina from 5pm on Friday the 6th of May. We are delighted to announce that our drinks sponsor for the evening will be Thailand International Boat Show & JAND Events. The Thailand International Boat Show 2023 will take place at the award-winning

PROPERTY FOR RENT Land for sale near Mission Heights

Land is 1,656 square meters approx on 3 Chanote titles. Has concrete road, water and electr ic. Small quiet village close to Mission Heights. I’m looking for 4.3 million Baht ONO. Call 093 629 4400.

PROPERTY FOR RENT UR

GE

NT

Stunning Villa For Rent/Sale

Stunning Villa for rent or sale in Chalong. 795,2 square meter or almost ½ Rai Land. 4 Bedrooms each with bathroom & shower. 1 laundry room with dishwasher and washing machine. Fully equipped kitchen. A irc on units and c eil ing fans in all rooms. Saltwater Pool 8m x 4m + jacuzzi + outdoor shower. Water system with very high-quality water filter. Long term rental min 6 months price 60,000 THB incl. garden and pool cleaning or available for sale 16,800 000 THB. adam.goodman@hotmail.com, 0910161167

BOAT LAGOON BAR FOR SALE

The Lagoon Saloon Phuket (LSP) in Boat Lagoon is FOR SALE. See our Facebook page for more bar details. Contact Khun Ora on Mobile 082 222 7499. Negotiable.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

ISLAND SCENE 13

GROW BOATING NETWORKING EVENT APR 1, 2022 Another great evening at the Boardwalk Bistro at Phuket Boat Lagoon. Special thanks to Lambert Brothers Insurance Brokers for being the drinks sponsor.

See you at the next event on May 6.

@thephuketnews

14 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

Masters hoping for Tiger roar GOLF AFP

Team New Zealand celebrate the 2021 America's Cup win. Photo: AFP

Team NZ defend their America’s Cup move SAILING TEAM NEW ZEALAND have defended their decision to stage the next America’s Cup in Spain, adamant they would have surrendered the Auld Mug if the regatta was held again in Auckland.

Barcelona was announced on Mar 30 as host of the event in 2024, seeing off bids from Malaga, Jeddah and Cork.

Team NZ chief executive Grant Dalton had come under pressure to keep the 37th edition in Auckland, given significant public funding and investment in the city’s infrastructure ahead of the 2021 regatta, when the defenders beat Italy’s Luna Rossa syndicate in the final series.

However, Dalton said lucrative hosting rights were put

out to tender when a government offer came up well short of the figure required to retain their key boat design and engineering personnel.

The decision has been greeted with broad public disappointment in New Zealand, where a wave of nationalism has accompanied previous Team NZ campaigns.

Dalton said his team would have little chance of retaining the silverware in home waters against better-resourced rivals.

“If we thought for one second that we could be competitive, with a realistic chance of winning the Cup in New Zealand, then that’s where we’d be,” he said.

“I can assure you that if we lose it in New Zealand, it will be gone forever, and the team will be gone.”

AFP

T

he Masters, the first men’s major tournament of the year, was set to tee off yesterday (Apr 7) at Augusta National with a host of in-form contenders, but all attention during the build-up was riveted upon 46-year-old Tiger Woods.

The 15-time major champion, ranked 944th in the world, suffered severe right leg injuries in a Feb 2021 car crash. He has not played an official event since the 2020 Masters, played in November due to COVID-19.

Woods practiced before thousands of supportive spectators on Monday (Apr 4) at the iconic Augusta course, saying that a final decision on whether to compete would be left until closer to yesterday’s opening round.

“To have Tiger there would be phenomenal,” four-time major winner Rory McIlroy said. “It just adds to the event.

Anything Tiger Woods does in the game of golf is heightened whenever he’s there.

I mean, it would be awesome for him to be there.”

Should Woods pass himself fit and decide to play, it will mark the 25th anniversary of his first triumph there.

However, the prospect of a Woods comeback overshadowed the certainty of players seeking a green jacket who have been competing for months.

McIlroy is once again attempting to complete a career Grand Slam by winning

Tiger Woods played his first public practice round ahead of the 86th Masters on Monday (Apr 4) at Augusta National with thousands of spectators cheering him around the course. Photo: AFP the Masters. He has six top-10 finishes at Augusta National, missing the cut last year.

American Scottie Scheffler will be playing his first event since becoming world number one by winning the WGC World Match Play Championship on Mar 28.

Third-ranked American Collin Morikawa, the 2021 British Open and 2020 PGA Championship winner, said he is confident going into the Masters.

“I feel like my golf game is there,” he said. “I just need to be mentally making sure I go through every process when I’m out there.”

Several players have been winning and contending ahead of the Georgia pines tournament.

Defending champion Hideki Mat-

suyama of Japan won January’s Sony Open in Hawaii, although he faces fitness questions as his title defense arrives after pulling out of the recent Texas Open with a neck injury.

World number six Cameron Smith of Australia, a 2020 Masters runner-up, won March’s Players Championship and January’s Tournament of Champions.

American Sam Burns, ranked 11th ahead of his first Masters, won his third title in 10 months at the Valspar Championship in March.

World number eight Dustin Johnson, whose last US title came at the 2020 Masters, likes where his game is at.

“I’m swinging it well, hitting my putts on line,” he said. “So feeling really good heading into the Masters.”

Australia beat England to win Women’s World Cup CRICKET

AUSTRALIA, LED BY A SUBLIME 170 from Alyssa Healy, rewrote the record books to beat a valiant England by 71 runs in the Women’s World Cup final in Christchurch on Sunday (Apr 3).

Australia amassed a daunting 356 for five but the defending champions England, faced with a record target, kept up the run rate but ran out of wickets to be dismissed for 285 in the 44th over, with Nat Sciver unbeaten on 148.

The victory continued Australia’s dominance of the 50-over format with their seventh title from 12 World Cups and extended their one-day international record to 38 wins from 39 matches over the past four years.

Against England, they lost the toss but nothing else.

England captain Heather Knight put Australia into bat, noting her side had bowled “outstandingly well” at Hagley Oval, but Australian openers Perry and Rachael Haynes were not listening.

They showed patience, scoring a sedate 26 off the first eight overs before Healey went on the rampage, paying the bowlers no respect as she pounded all points of the boundary with 26 fours.

Her 170, off just 138 deliveries, was the highest score in a women's or men’s World Cup final, the highest score in this

Australia celebrate their win last Sunday (Apr 3). Photo: Sanka Vidanagama / AFP tournament and contributed to her tournament record of 509 runs, eclipsing the 497, set by Haynes earlier in the same innings.

The Healy and Haynes 160-run opening stand was a record partnership for any wicket in a World Cup final.

When Haynes went for 68, Beth Mooney joined Healy in a 156-run partnership before Healy’s extraordinary innings ended in the 46th over when she missed an Anya Shrubsole delivery outside off stump and was stumped.

England made a determined effort to stay within reach of the required run rate, but were hampered by wickets falling at regular intervals.

Sciver's 148 was the second highest score in a Women’s World Cup final, but the next best for England was 27 by opener Tammy Beaumont.

For Australia, Jess Jonassen took three for 57 and Alana King finished with three for 64. AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

Premier League top two aiming to make history FOOTBALL

Kieran Caning

L

iverpool's quest for a quadruple and Manchester City's bid to match Manchester United's historic treble of 1999 are on a collision course over the next two weeks.

Premier League leaders City will host a potential title decider against second-placed Liverpool on Sunday (Apr 10) before the fierce rivals clash again in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Apr 16.

However, the impact of the Champions League quarterfinals could have a big impact on who claims the domestic trophies.

Liverpool on paper have the better draw in the last eight as they take on Benfica, while City face a gruelling two legs against Spanish champions Atletico Madrid.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp declared the Premier League as “the most important” prize up for grabs for his team, who have already lifted the League Cup this season.

But that cannot be the case

Jurgen Klopp (left) and Pep Guardiola are on a collision course over the next two weeks as they chase historic trophy hauls. Photo: AFP for City as they aim to end the club’s long wait for Champions League glory.

“The next Premier League game we will play against Liverpool. We know they are going to win almost all the games – hopefully not the next one – but we will try to do the same,” Guardiola said after City beat Burnley last Saturday to reestablish their one-point lead over Liverpool.

Liverpool are happy just to be in this position after finding

themselves 14 points adrift of City in January.

A 10-game winning run has reeled in the English champions, setting up another titanic fight between the sides, reminiscent of their recordbreaking battle in 2018/19.

City emerged winners on that occasion by a single point despite Liverpool amassing 97 points, the fourth-highest points tally in English topflight history for a 38-game season.

Germany to face Spain at World Cup as draw pairs Iran and USA FOOTBALL GERMANY AND SPAIN WILL CLASH at this year’s World Cup after last Friday’s (Apr 1) draw in Doha placed the two former winners in the same group, while geopolitical rivals the United States and Iran were also drawn together.

Four-time World Cup winners Germany and Spain are joined by Japan in Group E, which will be completed by the winner of an intercontinental play-off in June between Costa Rica and New Zealand.

Iran and the United States last met at the 1998 World Cup in France when the Iranians won the politically-charged game 2-1 in Lyon.

England also found themselves in Group B and will face Iran in their opening game on the tournament’s first day, on Nov 21.

Gareth Southgate’s side, semi-finalists four years ago in Russia and runners-up at Euro 2020, might also come up against neighbours Wales or Scotland, although Ukraine could also take the last spot in the European play-offs, to be decided in June.

Hosts Qatar, who will be appearing at their first World Cup, will face Ecuador in the World Cup’s opening game at the 60,000-seat Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor.

Qatar will also take on African champions Senegal as well as the Netherlands in Group A. Reigning champions France will face @thephuketnews

The draw for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar took place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center last Friday (Apr 1). Photo: AFP Denmark and Tunisia in Group D, which will be completed by the winners of the other intercontinental play-off, Australia, Peru or the United Arab Emirates.

Record five-time winners Brazil will play Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G, while two-time champions Argentina drew Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Robert Lewandowski's Poland in Group C. It might be Lionel Messi’s last chance to win a World Cup as he will turn 35 before the tournament.

The same goes for Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be nearly 38 when Portugal come up against Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in Group H. Croatia, runners-up in 2018, were drawn with Belgium and Morocco in Group F, which is completed by a Canada side returning to the World Cup for the first time in 26 years. AFP

The other two were also registered during an era marked by the excellence of Guardiola and Klopp’s sides.

City hold the record for the 100 points they recorded in 2017/18, while Liverpool responded in 2019/20 to end their 30-year wait to win the league with 99 points.

“In the last few years we’ve pushed each other on insane levels,” added Klopp.

This year, history will be marked in the number of trophies won.

United’s feat of winning the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup is the only time that particular treble has been won by an English side.

“The next Premier League game obviously is a big one, we do not hide from that. It’s all good," said Klopp.

“We are not favourite in one of the competitions we are in, but who cares? We will give it a try.”

With City and Liverpool on different sides of the Champions League draw, there is also the possibility for them to meet again in the final in Paris on May 28. AFP

SPORT 15

‘Red War’ tickets sell out within an hour FOOTBALL TICK ETS FOR T H E h ig h-prof ile Ba ng kok friendly between Liverpool and Manchester United on July 12 went on sale on Saturday (Apr 2) and virtually all sold out within an hour.

Both clubs have a strong following in Thailand, with Liverpool shirts and logos especially visible – the Anfield outfit’s official Thai language Facebook page has more than 38 million followers.

But with tickets ranging from B5,000 to B25,000, many ordinary Thai fans have complained of being priced out of seeing their heroes play in the flesh.

The clash between United and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, currently nipping at the heels of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, at the Rajamangala National Stadium has been dubbed the “Red War” by Thai media and fans.

Senior officials from the two clubs visited Bangkok last month to check the facilities at the 51,000-seat ground.

Andrew Cole (centre left) and Phil Babb (centre right). Photo: AFP Organisers hope to recreate an English matchday atmosphere on Thai soil, though with likely temperatures in the low 30°C and humidity around 70%, the chilly damp of northwest England will feel a long way away.

“It will be the same players as you see now with a few additions if transfer deals happen,” said legendary United striker Andrew Cole at the press conference last Thursday (Mar 31), predicting the two sides’ historic rivalry would continue in Bangkok. “I’m not sure it will be played like a preseason friendly,” he added.

Former Liverpool defender Phil Babb said he expected Klopp to bring a full-strength squad. AFP

Sport

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editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

All eyes on Augusta for Masters > p14

YAN SEEKS UFC REDEMPTION

Yan’s illegal knee strike during UFC 259 against Aljamain Sterling. Photo: AFP Petr Yan looks on during the first fight with Aljanain Sterling. Photo: AFP

MMA JP Mestanza tv@classactmedia.co.th

M

ulligans don’t exist in sports, much less in professional cage fighting. But for Petr ‘No Mercy’ Yan, if he could take back one moment from his entire career, it would be the last strike he landed in his March 2021 fight against Aljamain Sterling.

The Russia-native and Phuket resident landed an illegal knee strike to Sterling’s head as the American was getting back

up. As per the rules, the UFC awarded Sterling the victory.

In doing so, they stripped Yan of his UFC bantamweight title (135 pounds, 61kg) and handed it to Sterling.

The ending of that UFC 259 title fight will go down as one of the most bizarre in mixed martial arts history. After the illegal knee strike, Sterling rolled around the ground, then attempted to sit up, and after some moments, was able to get up for the final decision. After the belt was wrapped around his waist, Sterling threw it back onto the canvas, seemingly disappointed, shaking

his head. The whole moment was accentuated by the fact that there was no audience, as COVID-19 measures prevented a crowd.

“That’s not the way I wanted to win. That’s not the way I envisioned this,” Sterling said after the Mar 6, 2021 fight. “I was trying to continue even being all f****d up like that. I was in bad shape, and it would’ve just been ego taking over to take further punishment.”

While Yan would later apologise for the strike, citing a momentary lack of judgement, both he and Sterling continued to trash talk one another on

social media. UFC President Dana White was adamant that a rematch would be in the works. However, a month after the fight, on the advice of doctors, Sterling opted to repair nerve damage in his neck. His recovery from the serious surgery put any talk of a potential rematch on ice for almost an entire year.

In situations where the champion of a particular division is out for a considerable amount of time, the UFC usually creates an interim division title to keep fighters active.

This case was no different, especially after the 28-year-old

Yan himself opted to continue fighting, instead of waiting for Sterling to get back to health.

“You all know that [Sterling] just ran away like a sneaky coward,” Yan said in a video.“I am not going to sit and wait for him. I am going to fight. Give me any fighter, top-five, top-seven, top-10.

Anyone who deserves to fight for the belt and I will get the job done,” he said.

The UFC obliged and put him against Cody Sanhagen, the next top contender in the division, for the interim UFC bantamweight title at UFC 267 on Oct 20 in Abu Dhabi.

The fight was a masterclass for the boxing-heavy Yan, showcasing his all-around skill set, his durability, and seemingly unlimited gas tank, all honed at the famous Tiger Muay Thai & MMA Training Camp in Chalong.

By the time Yan and Sterling finally meet in the octagon for the rematch tomorrow (Apr 9) at UFC 273 in Jacksonville, Florida, it would have been more than 13 months since that infamous first meeting.

The title unification fight has been a long time coming, and for Yan, the stage is set for sweet redemption.

International boxing action packs a punch at Angsana Laguna BOXING PHUKET HAS THIS WEEK been serving as host to the 2022 Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament at the Angsana Laguna Hotel in Thalang.

The tournament, which runs from Apr 3-9 and is under official Royal patronage, saw more than 220 athletes and officials from 14 different nations competing and officiating across men’s and women’s bouts.

Last Sunday (Apr 3) saw the opening ceremony of the tournament take place at the Angsana Convention and Exhibition Space

(ACES), inaugurated by Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew and attended by the Secretary General of the Olympic Committee of Thailand, Gen Wit Thephasadin Na Ayudhya.

Pichai Chunhavachira, president of the International Boxing Association of Thailand, and Pol Lt Gen Chaiwat Chotima, president of competition management, were also present. Representing Phuket were selected representatives from associated public and private sponsors.

“It is an honour to be present at this auspicious opening ceremony,” commented Gen Wit. “There are always wins and losses in any sport

Photo: Margit Kincses / Asian Boxing Federation but may all the athletes taking part compete in harmony. What surpasses even the results of the compeition is the manner in which athletes compete, which should be with respect and kindness. I wish all athletes the best of luck,” he added.

Governor Narong thanked the

International Boxing Association of Thailand for selecting Phuket as the host venue for the competition, which is being conducted in a closed environment under strict health and safety protocols and without any access for spectators from the public.

On the first day of competition several Thai fighters were in action including Peerapat Yeasungnoen, who defeated Taiwanese opponent Chia Wai Kan 3-2 in the 75kg weight class, while Sittisak Jumkumar lost on points in the same class to Ayatulla Takizanov of Kazakhstan.

In the first round of the women’s 51kg class, Juthamas Chitphong

defeated Indian fighter Minakshih 3-2 to qualify for the next round.

The competition is divided into 10 men’s and eight women’s weight classifications and takes place in a temporary boxing ring which has been constructed at the Angsana Laguna Hotel.

Participating athletes come from New Zealand, Palestine, Cambodia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Spain, Kazakhstan, Taiwan, Singapore, Nepal, Indonesia, India and Thailand, which has sent two teams.

Prizes include gold medals worth US$2,000 (approximately B60,000), silver medals worth US$1,000 and bronze medals worth US$500.

The Phuket News thephuketnews